In a remarkable display of warmth, Shosho, a Siberian tiger, springs up to nab a box of his most-liked cereal from his caretaker, Ashley Gombert.

Weighing 40 stone and measuring a towering eight-foot when on his back legs, Shosho shares a unique bond with Ashley, featuring mutual kisses, cuddles, and even shared swims in a nearby creek adjacent to Shosho’s residence at Seaview Lion Park near Port Elizabeth.

Unique Bond Between 40 Stone Tiger And His Fearless Keeper 21 — Paw show: Shosho the Siberian tiger tries to swat a box of a certain cereal from keeper Ashley Gombert as the pair play together at the Seaview Lion Park near Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Ashley, a 35-year-old towering over six-foot himself and hailing from Port Elizabeth, is humbly overshadowed by the colossal feline.

Identifying himself as a tiger wrangler, Ashley acknowledges the physical challenge of being around such an enormous creature.

Unique Bond Between 40 Stone Tiger And His Fearless Keeper 12 — Fur play: Ashley shares another cuddle with Shosho.

“Shosho is a gentle giant. He has a very friendly demeanor, and you can easily interact with him.

Despite his calmness and enjoyment of human touch, we must never forget that he has the potential to be a lethal predator,” Ashley said.

Shosho plays a crucial role in a Siberian tiger breeding program aimed at expanding the genetic diversity of this endangered species for zoos worldwide.

Unique Bond Between 40 Stone Tiger And His Fearless Keeper 11 — Pals: Siberian tigers like Shosho are under threat, with only 360 believed to be living in the wilds of eastern Russia.

The wild population of Siberian tigers in Eastern Russia is alarmingly estimated at only 360.

The staff at Seaview Lion Park strive to interact extensively with these giant cats. This frequent interaction enables easier management than with creatures in captivity unaccustomed to human contact.

Ashley’s close bond with Shosho has beneficial practical implications too. Shosho willingly sits through medical checks or vaccinations, avoiding the need for sedation, which Ashley notes is healthier and makes Shosho more content in captivity.

Unique Bond Between 40 Stone Tiger And His Fearless Keeper 4 — Give us a kiss: Keeper Ashley shares a tender moment with Shosho.

Unique Bond Between 40 Stone Tiger And His Fearless Keeper 5 — Training: Staff at the park ensure they interact as much as the giant cats will allow – which means that they can be managed more easily than in captivity creatures unused to human contact.

“We received these tigers from Johannesburg Zoo when they ran out of space. Now, they’re part of our breeding program.

Our goal is to breed these endangered tigers to enhance their species’ genetic pool,” said Ashley.

Ashley shares that his interactions with Shosho aren’t just medical. They include walks for exercise, grooming sessions, and even playful jumping and hugging moments.

Unique Bond Between 40 Stone Tiger And His Fearless Keeper 3 — Cereal killer: Big Shosho takes a sniff at the breakfast favorite.

Unique Bond Between 40 Stone Tiger And His Fearless Keeper 2 — Big softie: Although Ashley plays with Shosho as if he were a family pet, he is always aware that the lethal killer could have him for breakfast at any time.

“Shosho communicates his feelings by giving me a hug and a kiss and occasionally playfully pounces on me.

Regular human interaction keeps Shosho both physically healthier and mentally happier, making him feel more comfortable in his captive environment,” Ashley concluded.

Unique Bond Between 40 Stone Tiger And His Fearless Keeper 1 — Shosho is part of a Siberian tiger breeding program that aims to increase the genetic stock of these endangered cats available to zoos throughout the world.

Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.